Match of the Round
Jeonnam Dragons vs. Bucheon FC 1995, Mon. 30th September - 19:30
Both Jeonnam Dragons and Bucheon FC 1995 head into Monday's Round 33 clash at a critical juncture. The Dragons, following a fourth loss in five in their last outing, are in danger of slipping out of the playoff picture altogether. Jeonnam had been sit in second, putting pressure on league leaders FC Anyang before their dip in form. Now, the Dragons sit seventh, two points outside the playoff spots. Returning to winning ways will be crucial when Bucheon make the long trip south to Gwangyang on Monday. Bucheon, though, are revitalised and seem to be riding the crest of a wave. They picked up a comprehensive 3-0 home win on Wednesday night, seeing off the Magpies in what was the club's 600th game. Bucheon are the team currently occupying the final playoff spot, having won four out of their last five matches - no team in the division has a better recent record.
Jeonnam fans will be hoping hat Kim Jong-min, their top scorer with 11, can help fire the team back to winning ways. Kim has two goals in his last three matches and is the team's most accurate shooter, sitting sixth in K League 2 for shooting accuracy with 43.59%. Rodrigo Bassani got himself on the scoresheet once again for Bucheon, taking the Brazilian to 10 for the campaign. The former Suwon Bluewings attacker sits third in K League 2 for shots from outside the area with 40, while Jucie Lupeta, who's looking to end a run of four matches without a goal, is seventh for touches in the box - more than any other Bucheon player.
There have been goals in this fixture over the last two seasons, including a 4-3 Jeonnam win in May this year, a 4-1 Bucheon win in November last year, and a 5-2 Bucheon triumph in May of 2023.
Team of the Round
Seoul E-Land (vs. Gimpo FC, Mon. 30th September - 19:30)
The league leaders were in town on Tuesday night but that didn't faze Seoul E-Land who earned a 1-0 win over FC Anyang. This means that the Leopards are only six points behind top spot with 21 more still to play for. The win was sealed thanks to a goal from Lee In-jae, his first in five years and four months, in first-half stoppage time. Seoul E-Land are now on a run of four unbeaten with three wins and three cleansheets. Seoul E-Land are the division's top scorers with 54 for the campaign so far. They're third for total shots dispatched and fourth for accuracy at 40.8%. Up next for Kim Do-kyun's team is the visit of nearby Gimpo FC, the most accurate shooters in the division and a side that still has an outside chance of reaching the playoffs but is looking to end a run of two defeats in a row. The most recent meeting ended in a 5-2 Seoul E-Land win with four goals scored in the last three minutes plus stoppage time.
Player of the Round
Kim Jong-suk, Chungnam Asan (vs. FC Anyang, Sat. 28th September - 16:30)
Goals five and six for the season for Kim Jobg-suk came during Chungnam Asan's crucial 2-0 win over provincial neighbours Cheonan City. They were his first goals in exactly a month and helped keep the Owls in the hunt for automatic promotion. Kim scoring is something of a lucky omen for his team as when the 29-year-old finds the back of the net, Chungnam Asan tend to pick up points. Kim has scored in five different matches and four of them have been when his team have either drawn or won. In fact, his goals have helped earn six extra points - the difference between third seventh and out of the playoff spots altogether. Kim ranks in the top 10 in K League 2 for shooting accuracy with 42.11% of all attempts finding the target with 24 of his total shots coming from outside the area, he ranks in the top 10 in that regard also. Up next is another crucial clash, the trip to Anyang to take on the league leaders. The Violets will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Seoul E-Land on Tuesday.
Elsewhere in K League 2 Round 33
Gyeongnam FC vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Two sides looking to return to form meet at Changwon on Saturday evening when Gyeongnam FC host Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Gyeongnam are now four points behind Ansan in 11th while the Bluewings, following a 1-0 loss to Busan on Wednesday, have dropped to sixth place.
Ansan Greeners vs. Busan IPark. Ansan Greeners on Tuesday earned a first home win under new manager Lee Kwan-woo, up next is the visit to the Wa~ of playoff-chasing Busan IPark. Ansan now have a four-point cushion over the bottom two. Busan, meanwhile, have shot up to fourth following a hugely important away win over Suwon Bluewings. A win at the Wa~ could move the Royals up to second, depending on results elsewhere.
Chungbuk Cheongju vs. Seongnam FC. Following the loss to Ansan Greeners on Tuesday, it's perhaps mission improbable for Chungbuk Cheongju when it comes to reaching the playoffs. But, with a gap of ?? points and 21 still to play for, the Lions will not be giving up just yet. They take on a Seongnam side that sits bottom of the table and without a win in 12 league matches.
K League 2 Table
K League 2 Round 33 Fixtures
Saturday 28th September
#ANYvCAFC: FC Anyang (1st) vs. Chungnam Asan (3rd) - 16:30
#GYEvSSB: Gyeongnam FC (12th) vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (6th) - 19:00
Sunday 29th September
#ANSvBUS: Ansan Greeners (11th) vs. Busan IPark (4th) - 16:30
#CHFCvSFC: Chungbuk Cheongju (10th) vs. Seongnam FC (13th) - 19:00
Monday 30th September
#JDFCvBUC: Jeonnam Dragons (7th) vs. Bucheon FC 1995 (5th) - 19:30
#SEFCvGFC: Seoul E-Land (2nd) vs. Gimpo FC (8th) - 19:30
